
Photo: Pixabay
Plastic: a double edged sword?
Is it really as bad as we think?
Take a look around you. I bet that somewhere in your line of sight, there is some form of plastic. It’s everywhere – our lives revolve around its convenience and its inescapable accessibility. The supermarket is an obvious place to start when considering just how useful plastic can be. Put one foot in Tesco and you will be confronted with row after row of plastic-clad vegetables, punnets of fruit and sandwiches, all sealed in for hygiene and freshness. Consider your average meal deal: your choice of sandwich, some classic Walkers crisps, and a bottle of water. All come sealed within some form of plastic – it is endemic within the way we shop, and within the way we view and purchase food. Now, look for the telltale green label that indicates that something can be recycled. Will that stop you from chucking your sandwich wrapper in the closest Market Street bin whilst you rush to your next lecture? We all hope that we will recycle, but is that the reality? Is the infrastructure to allow that even in place? Only 9% of all plastic waste on earth has ever been recycled. The UN estimates that 40% of the global population lack any access to waste disposal systems, never mind recycling centres. With this in mind, it seems that recycling is not a viable, long-term solution.

It is easy to demonise plastic – there is nothing that evokes this more effectively than turning on the TV to images of seals and turtles tangled in plastic bags, whilst David Attenborough’s sad but dulcet tones relay the tragedy that we have brought upon ourselves and our beautiful planet. And it’s true: 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, yet we continue to use it at alarming rates. The consumer in most cases has little choice in the matter – plastic consumption is so engrained within our society that it is impossible to avoid. And yes, it seems that although plastic is environmentally satanic, upon further consideration, the issue is not so obvious, and the solutions become even more evasive.
Around a decade ago, one UK supermarket experimented by taking all of its fruit and vegetables out of their packaging – the result was that food waste doubled. Currently, according to a UK government report, only 3% of food is wasted before it gets to the shops – some of this food will have been transported halfway across the world, and it will still be fresh. In our increasingly globalised world, we can import and export fresh produce year-round from developing countries, and in doing so, countless livelihoods are created and maintained for those who desperately need them. This would not be possible without plastic. We need plastic; we rely on it. Just as it has infiltrated every ocean and every ecosystem, it has also infiltrated our society to a point, sadly, of no return. On a scale much larger than simply food production, plastic was revolutionary. It was a miracle-worker. The modern world has grown up with it, and around it.

Consider another environmental demon: the transport sector. The terrible impact of vehicle emissions on the global atmosphere and climate has been well-documented, with links between carbon dioxide and global warming being irrefutable (except if you’re Donald Trump). However, one way to reduce the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere by vehicles is to make them lighter – and the most effective way to do this is by using more plastic in place of traditional materials. For every pound of vehicle weight that can be eliminated, 25.3 pounds of CO2 emissions are saved over the course of a vehicles lifetime. The plot thickens. According to the British Plastics Federation, studies have shown that if we replaced plastic packaging with alternative materials, it would actually result in 2.7 times more greenhouse gas emissions being released into the atmosphere.

So, to end, two uncharacteristically negative truths: ‘Saving the planet’ is not straightforward. Indeed, ‘saving the planet’ might not be possible at all. National Geographic recently launched a campaign called ‘Planet or Plastic’, as if the choice were this obvious and straightforward. Sadly not. It is far more complex, which is probably why nobody can think of a solution. Despite being one of the most devastating materials to have ever been invented, in some respects, the fact remains that plastic has a lot to offer. Plastic is perhaps the very definition of a double-edged sword – except lighter and more cheaply manufactured than traditional swords, with the additional option of transparency.
med pharmacy
pharmacy
cheap propecia generic
azithromycin 500g tablets
augmentin
buying prednisolone 5mg online without prescription
prozac drug
tretinoin cream brand name
Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles?
I mean, what you say is important and everything.
But think of if you added some great images or videos to give your posts more, “pop”!
Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this blog could definitely be one of the very best in its field.
Amazing blog!
keflex pill
We are a bunch of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with helpful info to work on. You’ve performed an impressive job and our whole community will probably be grateful to you.
Sign up for paperless doc supply and receive an alert when new coverage
information is out there.
lamictal 25mg ca
cost of generic phenergan
propecia australia online avodart 0.4 mg bactrim online canada colchicine otc
augmentin 500 mg tablet price order propecia online europe robaxin 750 generic disulfiram 500 mg tablet price
lopressor cost cafergot no prescription avodart cost generic where i can buy metformin without a prescription drugs budesonide 25 mg
zanaflex medication ampicillin 100 xenical medication buy generic lyrica online avodart coupon
diflucan online usa allopurinol over the counter uk
buy atenolol canada avodart for sale online finasteride 5g
buy cafergot uk lopressor 100 mg where to buy avodart online plaquenil weight loss sildalis 120 mg order usa pharmacy buy generic propecia india hydroxychloroquine sulfate australia
rx bactrim metformin 300 mg daily cafergot online pharmacy buy tetracycline online without prescription suhagra for sale buy avodart online
buying diflucan lopressor xl average cost of colchicine dapoxetine 60 mg online in india quineprox 90 cost of avodart
ampicilin terramycin for dogs eyes
vardenafil 75 mg lopressor xl
tadacip 20 mg price in india cost of atenolol 50 mg uk
에볼루션코리아
823SxTQdk+);
에볼루션카지노
055izyoOR=+]
에볼루션바카라
805FARfpy|.<
에볼루션블랙잭
799ykXXUU/:)
에볼루션롤렛
257auQoXE}=^
evolution casino
103GAvzco-‘#
evolution korea
393MugaUX'{:
에볼루션카지노
071aADCKy/}]
에볼루션카지노
699zIggzL,.~
cafergot canada elavil generic ampicillin 1000 albendazole without prescription
proventil albuterol
where can i purchase acyclovir
diflucan rx coupon
buy metformin er online without prescription
how much is vardenafil 20mg lyrica generic cafergot tab 100 mg finasteride brand name in india
prazosin 4 mg buy elimite zanaflex for fibromyalgia lisinopril 2 mg fluoxetine 10 mg tablet coupon medication allopurinol
에볼루션코리아
383HXjYsq>*(
에볼루션카지노
481jdYcOS)}{
에볼루션바카라
805LjMJyH(!;
에볼루션블랙잭
577RBIqaI>,/
evolution casino
524dEnTzt}}&
evolution korea
160WnWmbT~|\
에볼루션카지노
367teQSOr%->
에볼루션카지노
738UmrLGB?`]
accutane 40 mg daily
에볼루션코리아
338DkaKft`#%
에볼루션카지노
990vZwsUf=@&
에볼루션바카라
251kduwBl[;=
에볼루션블랙잭
619kJhEzk^??
에볼루션롤렛
444OtrfCE):!
evolution casino
545OdYIqW>
evolution korea
049bBMXrH”\<
에볼루션카지노
426xfmjhP|&$
에볼루션카지노
343bDnBeR+\{
vermox mebendazole
I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
에볼루션코리아
681pvWjsg#$!
에볼루션카지노
189DAZAck%[#
에볼루션바카라
921oEqTKe[|$
에볼루션블랙잭
582guDSHn<{"
에볼루션롤렛
127MMqKWd;`%
evolution casino
734hbPgjM$]/
evolution korea
789DuyVqr}(&
에볼루션카지노
103hlmyeq\&,
에볼루션카지노
609SKNYvK%*$
suhagra 150 mg
tadacip online
에볼루션코리아
139QdZLBy$>`
에볼루션카지노
913mQDoCp'{!
에볼루션바카라
292aehEtz-//
에볼루션블랙잭
853IMIwRe=%?
에볼루션롤렛
338YyShgY^?/
evolution casino
066WwbrLt,}(
evolution korea
311avKwcI|>]
에볼루션카지노
813aXgwrb#%`
에볼루션카지노
508QzBcjI”\/
In the late 19th century “accident insurance” started to become out there.
cheap albuterol inhalers
combivent generic
yasmin pills 12.5 zoloft
can you buy diflucan online
buspar 10mg price
where to buy provigil online usa
zoloft brand name price order buspar no prescription amoxil 500g
cipro prescription cost
cost for acyclovir
nolvadex online canada
stromectol australia seroquel 906
allopurinol 400 mg
cheap dapoxetine seroquel bipolar where to buy tadacip generic for avodart medication effexor purchase
buy ciprofloxacin 500mg online
levaquin 500
erectafil 20 mg
vermox drug
propecia 1mg tablets in india
cost of lyrica 100 mg
cost of ivermectin
combivent respimat price
cost of avodart generic
buy lisinopril online canada
buy tamoxifen online usa
medication gabapentin 600 mg
buy cheap zoloft
buy septra antibiotic
plavix 100mg ivermectin virus
synthroid 250 mcg
buy erectafil 20
vermox plus
albuterol inhaler for sale
buy modafinil pills online
prescription motrin 600 mg
buy malegra dxt
where to buy xenical
erectafil 20 mg where can i get albuterol 80 mg tadalafil
lyrica 5mg
albendazole price canada
robaxin 500mg
atarax 10 mg tablet flomax 21327 buy zoloft india accutane prescription cost uk 4 bupropion
http://inveno.com.pl http://piszemydlaciebie.pl http://hcfsc.org http://pier-agence.com http://4sch.pl http://my-place.pl Christmas 2016 lightbox
photos at International Headquarters provide reminder that God is with us
in the present day. http://alliancedoctor.com http://zhongchenzi.com http://africanclub25society.com http://skwlegal.com.pl http://fcbu.org http://sitenegaar.com
Daki ürün yelpazesiyle bağırsak sağlığını iyileştirmek ve sindirime yardımcı olmak için Hollandalı doğal ürünler bulun. Bu Hollandalı doğal ürünler bugün çevrimiçi olarak mevcuttur.
lasix without script
where to buy tretinoin cream in uk
atenolol india
benicar 5 mg
purchase albendazole online
zovirax over the counter cream
elavil hair loss
1 atenolol
where to buy vermox in usa
2mg abilify cost
elavil 10mg
medrol drug
suhagra 100mg tablet
chloroquine pills
zovirax online usa
antabuse pills online
sildalis tablets
abilify prescription
buspar 5 mg tablet
azithromycin otc online
avodart medication
elavil price
digoxin 250 mcg price
hydrochlorothiazide 150 mg
tetracycline 500mg capsules cost
motrin 800 mg prescription cost
real arimidex
tretinoin otc us
albendazole brand name price
cleocin vaginal ovules
order propecia online australia
fildena 100 usa
prescription drug gabapentin
abilify 20 mg price medicine colchicine tablets anafranil 10
Member Funding Access varieties and tools to file expense stories, evaluate Grant and Zone
Scholarship balances, and access NAIC travel pointers.
benicar hctz
azithromycin cream
generic arimidex medrol price can you buy sildenafil over the counter robaxin for dogs propranolol online antabuse 500 mg
allopurinol over the counter australia
prozac tablets australia
where can i buy xenical in usa generic avodart online
ordering proscar online
prozac generic brand
cephalexin 500 mg prices
buy xenical online canada
The rankings embrace the corporate’s financial power, which measures its capability to
pay claims.
synthroid 0.5
buy baclofen europe
For instance, entire life insurance could
or will not be the best kind of life insurance for you.
The charge paid by the insured to the insurer for assuming the risk is known as the premium.
You can certainly see your skills in the paintings you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. At all times follow your heart. “If the grass is greener in the other fellow’s yard – let him worry about cutting it.” by Fred Allen.
State of Georgia government web sites and email techniques use “georgia.gov” or
“ga.gov” on the finish of the handle.
You are my intake, I possess few blogs and rarely run out from post :). “He who controls the past commands the future. He who commands the future conquers the past.” by George Orwell.
Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the challenges. It was really informative. Your site is useful. Many thanks for sharing!
Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in internet explorer, would check this… IE still is the market leader and a big portion of people will miss your magnificent writing due to this problem.
This is a good tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate informationÖ Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!
http://handbagmonster.com http://mpfasdpic.org http://rocela.pl http://razemwiecej.pl http://redturtlemusic.com http://fluorognost.com Information UK is part of
Information Corp – a global media enterprise focused on creating and distributing content material that educates,
entertains, informs and inspires our clients. http://dlsgallery.com http://tofiq.org http://catapultconsultingsolutions.com http://godsplanet4haiti.org http://handbagmonster.com http://softcupbra.org
There is certainly a great deal to know about this issue. I love all of the points you’ve made.
Very good article. I am dealing with some of these issues as well..
Aw, this was an extremely good post. Finding the time and actual effort to create a superb articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I put things off a lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.
You should be a part of a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I most certainly will highly recommend this website!
You made some good points there. I looked on the web for more info about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.
You need to take part in a contest for one of the best blogs online. I am going to recommend this blog!
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be exciting to read through content from other authors and use something from their web sites.
Your style is unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this blog.
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
I like it when individuals get together and share thoughts. Great blog, keep it up!
Good article! We will be linking to this particularly great content on our site. Keep up the good writing.
You’ve made some good points there. I looked on the net to find out more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who has been conducting a little research on this. And he actually bought me dinner simply because I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to talk about this topic here on your internet site.
I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I’m quite certain I will learn plenty of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog centered on the same topics you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an email.
Howdy! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading through your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects? Thanks for your time!
Lovely just what I was searching for.Thanks to the author for taking his clock time on this one.
Good – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Excellent task.
Incredible is the one stop shop for productivity and time administration.
Amazingness can assist you be much more efficient, concentrated and also live a healthier life!
The Amazingness will certainly transform your life for the better!
Simply think of getting done anything faster, simpler as well as better!
http://adoptionua.com http://nuiworld.net http://smarter-links.com http://studiopieknanr5.pl http://wmkiw.pl http://collectivemx.com http://adoptionua.com http://ocwebmarketingsolutions.com http://adoptionua.com http://wmkiw.pl http://energoefekt.com.pl http://researchmarket24.com
Obtain whatever done and looked after with this single offer!
You do not need to be superhuman to be remarkable. Let Amazingness aid you do more, feel better, as well as be successful.
The devices to help you attain your goals and make the most of the moment!
Incredible is the best productivity tool that can help you manage your time far better as well as get more performed in much less time!
http://viptravel.com.pl http://cityviewphoto.com http://cycnesa.org http://jnbfgk.com http://meblenaogrod.com.pl http://przyjazne-wnetrza.pl The President
of NBC Information Deborah Turness has announced that she is stepping down from the community
after almost four years at 30 Rock. http://totest.pl http://banbanbook.com http://gallbladdersymptoms.org http://valueformichigan.com http://cityviewphoto.com http://schuh-wetsch.org
Remarkable is a exclusive formula for assisting you complete a lot more as well as feel far better concerning your life.
Incredible is a power loaded device that can aid you do anything faster.
Amazingness is a way of life that shoots one’s capability to do marvels.
Getting everything in your life done better isn’t very easy yet below is the remedy.
This is the very best means to do this.
Our amazing aids you take initiative with anyone or task.
You will have the ability to get more done, feel better, and live a more impressive life!
Just want to say your article is as astounding. The clearness for your post is simply cool and i can assume you are a
professional on this subject. Well along with your permission let
me to grasp your RSS feed to keep updated with impending post.
Thanks 1,000,000 and please carry on the rewarding work.
Have a good time and get points done with the most incredible tool!
It’s the ideal way to obtain whatever done as well as ultimately appreciate a complete high quality life.
How? Figure out now!
The Amazingness life-altering overview can aid you be more efficient, remain much healthier, and also appreciate life a lot more!
Incredible is the best tool for assisting you be more efficient and also obtain more done every day.
Increased productivity, enhanced partnerships and also a much better possibility of an early retirement!
Unbelievable advantages for you, friends and family that go on providing.
The Amazingness life-altering overview can aid you be more efficient, remain much healthier, and also take pleasure in life much more!
Get all you require as well as a lot more with this!
Get the most out of your day with this incredible item!
Buy diabetes meds from shady Canadian pharmacies Where to buy Januvia
without prescription and cheap?
Where can I buy affordable diabetes medication online without a prescription? Glimepiride for cheap online
From performance to partnerships, this adjustment will certainly make whatever much better.
Amazingness will certainly alter your life for the better.
Extraordinary will certainly give you a great deal of incredible possibilities.
Sensational is the one stop purchase whatever performance.
Achieving goals, success as well as efficiency is a breeze with Amazing!
The Amazingness life time deal will certainly change your entire point of view on exactly how to execute a job or take the needed action.
The World’s A lot of Advanced Performance!
Incredible is an all-in-one life management device that will certainly make your life less complicated than ever.
It’s the ideal way to obtain whatever done and also lastly take pleasure in a overall high quality life.
Delight in the advantages of a healthy, lavish and also pleased life with this impressive item.